Review: Aaragan

The film has an interesting new plot, which involves a bit of mythology, a bit of horror, some fantasy, some romance, lots of drama and some thrills to spice up the proceedings.

Aargan review

Film: Aaragan
Director: Arun KR
Cast: Michael Thangadurai, Kavipriya and others
Music: Vivek & Jeshwanth
DOP: Surya Vaithy
Rating: 2.5 stars

Director Arun K R comes up with a fairly engaging psychological-fantasy film that has a generous dose of horror in it. Thanks to his lead actors – Michael Thangadurai and Kavipriya – who look their parts, he is able to keep you interested in his film from start to finish.

Synopsis
The film begins with a brief story on a brave king who ruled this land several centuries ago. The king, we are told, has two sons. The elder one is interested in warfare and administration, while the younger one is interested in carnal pleasures. When the kingdom comes under attack, the king and his elder son dutifully go to its defence. In the process, they get killed. The younger one, who has no honour, flees to the forests for his life. There, he meets a hermit whose life he saves. In return, the hermit grants him a boon.
The story then moves to the present day and age when we see a young couple in love. The young man (Michael Thangadurai) is looking to wed his girlfriend (Kavipriya), an orphan. Kavipriya takes up a job in the hope of making enough money to lend a helping hand to her boyfriend to start his own business.


Kavipriya’s job is to primarily take care of a senior citizen who resides in a remote place in a hill station. The place is literally cut off from humanity and is deep inside the jungles where there is no mobile network. Kavipriya takes up the assignment, as it is for a period of just six months. She hopes to finish the assignment, return to the city and then wed her boyfriend and lead a happy life thereafter. What happens when Kavipriya goes to the hillstation is what the film is all about…

What works in the film…
The film has an interesting new plot, which involves a bit of mythology, a bit of horror, some fantasy, some romance, lots of drama and some thrills to spice up the proceedings.

Apart from the freshness of the plot, what works in the film’s favour is its cast.

Michael Thangadurai, who plays the lead, does an outstanding job in this film as well. He plays with convinction the role of an enticing young man, who knows how to manipulate others and keep them under his control. This isn’t the first time that Michael has delivered a good performance. He was equally good in director Arivazhagan’s Vallinam but for some reason has not gotten roles that do justice to his potential.

Actress Kavipriya, who plays the hero’s love interest, too does a neat job. In the initial sequences, she looks out of sorts but as the story progresses, you have no qualms believing that she is an orphan, who, in a bid to please her love, is willing to undertake any assignment, irrespective of how hard it is.

On the technical side, the film’s cinematographer does some fantastic work. His aerial shots of the jungle and the house where the drama unfolds are a treat to watch.

What doesn’t work…
While the plot is fresh, the writing isn’t. Also, the manner in which the story is narrated could have been better. Take for instance, the manner in which the director shifts focus from a story set in the ancient period to one that is set in today’s day and age. The transition isn’t smooth and you, as a viewer, get the feeling of being abruptly pulled out of one story and thrust into the next. Agreed, the answers to the half completed story towards the climax but then, until that point, you are left dissatisfied.

What also does not work in the film is its music, which doesn’t exactly do what it is meant to do – amplify the emotion and the mood the director is trying to convey. In some places, it works but in most other places, it doesn’t and only adds to the cacophony.

Verdict:
Aaragan is a fairly decent entertainer that works in parts.